Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
Guwahati: Tobacco consumption has risen significantly across India over the past decade, with several states in the Northeast emerging among the highest consumers in the country, according to a new analysis based on national household data. The findings come from a working paper, "Rise in Tobacco Consumption and Policy Implications: An Analysis of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2011-12 and 2023-24," authored by Shamika Ravi, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and Partha Protim Barman. Drawing on data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, the study highlights a sharp nationwide increase in tobacco use, with particularly high prevalence across both rural and urban areas in the Northeast. In rural India, states such as Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya reported some of the highest levels of tobacco consumption in the country. Tripura topped the list, with 96.4% of rural households reporting tobacco use, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (94.3%), Mizoram (92.7%) and Meghalaya (89.8%). These figures are well above the national rural average of 68.5%. A similar pattern was observed in urban areas. Mizoram recorded the highest tobacco consumption at 91%, followed by Tripura (89.8%) and Arunachal Pradesh (83%), placing Northeast states among the top consumers nationwide. Overall, tobacco use has expanded rapidly across India. The number of rural households consuming tobacco rose from 9.9 crore in 2011-12 to 13.3 crore in 2023-24, while urban households increased from 2.8 crore to 4.7 crore -- marking a 33% rise in rural areas and a 59% increase in urban centres. The study notes a shift in consumption patterns, with packaged tobacco products such as gutkha and cigarettes seeing sharp increases, even as traditional products like bidi decline. Researchers attribute this to aggressive marketing and wider availability of commercially packaged products. In the Northeast, gutkha consumption remains higher than the national average in states including Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. However, a marginal decline was observed in Meghalaya (from 8.8% to 7%) and Mizoram (from 5.1% to 1.2%). At the national level, gutkha consumption in rural India surged from 5.3% of households in 2011-12 to 30.4% in 2023-24. Cigarette use also increased from 4.8% to 11.2% over the same period. Urban areas recorded similar trends, with gutkha consumption rising from 3.07% to 16.8%, and cigarette use from 8.4% to 18%. The report also highlights distinct regional patterns. Cigarette smoking is particularly high in Mizoram, where 85.9% of rural households reported cigarette use -- the highest in the country. Meanwhile, leaf and chewing tobacco continue to be widely used in Assam, with over half of rural households consuming such products. The analysis points to some modest gains as well. Meghalaya and Mizoram have seen slight declines in gutkha consumption, suggesting that targeted awareness campaigns and regulatory efforts may be yielding results. However, the burden of tobacco use remains disproportionately high among poorer households. More than 70% of rural households in the bottom 40% income group consume tobacco, compared to about 63% among the richest 20%. Researchers warn that such spending diverts resources away from essential needs like nutrition, education and healthcare, especially among low-income families. The study also cautions that rising tobacco consumption could exacerbate India's growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular illnesses, cancer and respiratory conditions. Tobacco use is linked to an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually in the country. With public healthcare coverage expanding, the report warns that increasing tobacco-related illnesses could place additional strain on government health systems. It calls for stronger regulation and enforcement, citing concerns over surrogate advertising, the "twin-product" strategy used by manufacturers to bypass restrictions, and the easy availability of smokeless tobacco. Without more stringent intervention, the study warns, tobacco consumption is likely to continue rising despite broader public health efforts.
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
The Cure SMA Foundation of India has praised the government’s recent efforts to address rare diseases, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), with over Rs 900 crore allocated for treatment procurement. The foundation urges swift action to implement the procurement process within 45 days, following the Delhi High Court’s directive. SMA, a life-threatening genetic disease, has limited treatment access in India. While the drug Risdiplam has brought hope, collaborative efforts are needed to ensure wider availability. Experts stress the importance of a holistic approach to SMA care, citing Kerala ...Read More >
People often think doing cardio will interfere with gaining muscle, so they only do strength training. This misses out on the balance that's key for health and fitness. When done right, cardio builds endurance and strengthens your heart. It helps you perform better and recover faster, which means you can actually grow muscle more effectively as part of a balanced fitness routine. The belief that cardio "eats away" at your muscles is a persistent myth that doesn't hold up to science. In reality, research shows that moderate cardio benefits strength training. It boosts heart health and enduranc ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 11 (ANI): A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by senior leaders, met Himachal Pradesh Governor Pratap Shukla recently to submit a comprehensive 106-page memorandum titled "Kachcha Chittha". The document, which alleges rampant corruption and administrative failures in the two years of Congress rule under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aims to hold the state government accountable for what the BJP describes as a period of "unprecedented mismanagement and destruction." Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Himachal Prade ...Read More >
Bengaluru: In a setback to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bangalore Zonal Office has provisionally attached 142 immovable properties having an approximate market value of Rs 300 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is accused number one in the case and the investigation is also conducted against others who got the illegal allotments done through the MUDA. His wife B.M. Parvathi is the second accused. "The ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Guwahati: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a massive healthcare infrastructure overhaul for Assam, while inaugurating the Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Childcare Centre (NBWCC) in Guwahati here on Thursday.During the event, the Assam CM revealed plans to invest Rs 4000 crore in expanding the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) into a 5000-bed facility.He also praised the newly-inaugurated NBWC centre saying that he was happy that the group had invested in Assam " I am sure that the people of Assam, along with other northeastern states, will immensely benefit from this venture o ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Fintech firm BimaPay Finsure on Thursday said it has entered into corporate insurance financing and aims for Rs 20 crore in premiums in 2025-26. Launching the pilot phase with insurance partners, BimaPay said the initiative will allow businesses to pay premiums in easy equated monthly instalments (EMIs) instead of bearing the burden of full upfront costs. Also Read | Who Is Pinaki Misra? From Age to Family Background and Net Worth, Here's All About BJD Leader With Whom Mahua Moitra Reportedly Married. The company aims to finance over Rs 20 crore worth of premiums by t ...Read More >
Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna - Pahal Badlaav Ki, a national campaign against gender-based violence, at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi yesterday. Delivering his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the Government has taken a slew of initiatives for women's economic and social development. He stressed that gender-based violence is not an issue that persists in rural areas, but in urban areas as well. He said with the presence of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurn ...Read More >
Chennai, Dec 10 (PTI) Standalone health insurance company Star Health Insurance has targeted doubling its business in Tamil Nadu over the next four years, a top official said. As part of its growth strategy, the company plans to add 12,000 new agents across Tamil Nadu and expand its footprint with 25 new offices in both rural and urban areas in FY2025. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission Latest News: Narendra Modi Government Likely To Hike DA for Employees by 3% in January 2025, Check Details. Star ...Read More >
Ludhiana: The municipal corporation, which has prepared a roadmap for establishment of the "waste to energy" plant for proper management of fresh waste generated in the city, invited three major firms with expertise in the field on Friday. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said that they wanted to get suggestions and inputs from the firms so that proper planning could be done for establishment of the plant. Firms invited on Friday include SFC Environmental Technologies Ltd, Re Sustainability Limited (formerly known as Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd), and JITF Urban Infrastructure Limited (part of ...Read More >
Bagdogra (West Bengal) [India], May 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said improving connectivity remains one of the main achievements of his government, which has, over the past decade, ushered in a slew of rail and road projects, including in the Northeastern state of Sikkim. In his address delivered via videoconferencing at the Sikkim@50 event held at Gangtok's Palzor Stadium, the Prime Minister recalled a time when travel for education, healthcare, and employment was a major challenge for the region. However, he noted that the situation has changed significantly over the ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India's commitment to fighting terrorism, stating that India stands firm and resolute in its collective fight against this threat in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about strengthening ties with Central Asia, following the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and posted on X, "Delighted to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India deeply che ...Read More >
Severe air pollution in northern India has led to a surge in demand for respiratory medications, with Foracort becoming India’s top-selling drug in October. The inhaler, used to treat asthma and COPD, recorded Rs 75 crore in sales, surpassing popular medicines like Augmentin and Glycomet-GP. Manufactured by Cipla, Foracort combines budesonide and formoterol for effective dual-action therapy. Other respiratory drugs, Duolin and Budecort, also saw increased sales. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index reaching hazardous levels, the rise in respiratory issues underscores the urgent need for better healt ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 26 (VOICE) India in 2024 saw a boom in employment rates, with women and youth leading the charge in workforce participation, according to a report.The report by Apna.co, a job and professional networking platform, showed women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications -- 20 per cent higher than in 2023. Similarly, the youth posted a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in job applications. Women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications out of a total of 7 crore, a 25 per cent year-on-year surge, in 2024. Flexible work opportunities, gender-focused initiativ ...Read More >
Thane: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad said the govt should request all laadki bahin beneficiaries to contribute Rs 50 to the state if it is unable to provide eggs to over 24 lakh govt and aided school students through their midday meal schemes due to financial constraints. Awhad made this scathing remark at the state on Friday after staging a peaceful protest at the Thane collector office, where he presented a set of sugar and eggs to the administration as a symbolic protest against the govt plan. "Govt data shows the annual cost of providing eggs to students is just ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged the people to resolve to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy, clean environment. "Today, let us pledge to eliminate plastic pollution and create a healthier, cleaner environment for our citizens," Majhi said while addressing the state-level World Environment Day event. He noted that plastic has become an integral part of our lives, especially single-use plastics. Stressing that plastic waste must be ad ...Read More >
Kerala Lottery Result Monday (June 2, 2025): The Government of Kerala oversees the Kerala State Lotteries program. It was founded in 1967 and is the first of its kind in India, operating under the Kerala government's lottery department. The government of Kerala launched the Kerala State Lotteries in 1967 after banning all private lotteries. The new department was established with the intention of giving people jobs and raising government revenue without disturbing the general public. The department employs over 500 people as of 2025, divided among 14 district offices, 21 sub-lottery offices, ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat Trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha called it a momentous occasion that will go down in history. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a ...Read More >
Biocon Biologics, in collaboration with Diabetes Africa and St Paul’s Hospital in Ethiopia, has launched the Embedding Specialist Nurses in Diabetes Care project. The initiative focuses on training nurses to become diabetes specialists to address the country’s growing diabetes crisis. With Ethiopia ranking among the top countries in sub-Saharan Africa for diabetes prevalence, this project aims to integrate diabetes care into primary healthcare, enhancing accessibility and care quality. By upskilling nurses and establishing a structured pathway for them, the program seeks to improve diabetes ma ...Read More >
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd's Dharavi distribution outlet -- a key supply node for quick-commerce platform Zepto -- after an inspection revealed serious breaches of food safety regulations. The inspection, conducted on Saturday by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke, was initiated at the directive of Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State for FDA, and supervised by Joint Commissioner Mangesh Mane. The findings have raised pressing concerns about the handling and storage of food products at the facility, which ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited, a joint venture of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), has signed the contract for the development of a multimodal facility complex (MMFC) and the redevelopment of the Kuralagam Building at Broadway. The project to redevelop the property at a cost of Rs 566.59 crores was awarded to Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited. The work is being executed by the Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML) along with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). As per the contract agreement sig ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
J&K lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Friday called inauguration of Kashmir rail project "a momentous occasion that will go down in history". In his address, Sinha expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer just a slogan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned this decade-long dream into reality. He has connected the hearts of millions of Indians, forging an unbreakable bond from north to south. With Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Ra ...Read More >
In a significant drug bust in Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, police seized over 8 kg of heroin valued at Rs 2.41 crore. Three people were arrested after a CID team intercepted two vehicles carrying narcotics. The heroin was hidden in foreign cigarette packets and is the state's largest seizure. In a landmark operation, Mizoram police have successfully seized over 8 kg of heroin with a street value of Rs 2.41 crore in the capital city of Aizawl -- a record-breaking haul for the state. The operation was executed by a special branch of the CID, who acted on a tip-off and intercepted two vehicles in ...Read More >
The total cost of the second phase of the project is estimated at $83.3 million, with the Tanzanian government contributing $8.33 million in counterpart funding. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $75 million loan to Tanzania for the second phase of the Centre of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences project, aimed at tackling the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in the country and the broader East African region. The total cost of the second phase of the project is estimated at $83.3 million, with the Tanzanian government contributing $8 ...Read More >
Reflecting growing cross-border tensions, ILS Super Specialty Hospital in Agartala has announced its decision to stop treating Bangladeshi nationals. Reflecting growing cross-border tensions, ILS Super Specialty Hospital in Agartala has announced its decision to stop treating Bangladeshi nationals. The hospital's executive committee finalised this move in response to mounting protests by nationalist groups in Tripura, which have opposed the continued influx of Bangladeshi patients amid escalating communal violence across the border. For years, ILS Hospital has served as a destination for Ba ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...Read More >